Doubler for plates or sheets.



No. 634,293. Patented Oct. 3, I899. J. H. GILL.

DOUBLER FOB PLATES 0B SHEETS.

(Application filed Dec. 10, 1898.) No Model.)

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Patentd Oct 3, I899.

J. H GILL. DOUBLEB FOR PLATES 0R SHEETS.

(Application filed Dec. 10, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

No Model.)

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NITED TATES JOSEPH II. GILL, OF NE\V CASTLE,- PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- IlALF TO JARED M. B. REIS, OF SAME PLACE.

D OUBLER FOR PLATES OR SHEETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.634,293, d t d Oct b r 3, 1899.

Application filed December 10, 1898. Serial No. 698,833. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH I-I. GILL, of New Castle, in the county of Lawrence and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Doublers for Plates or Sheets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure l is a side elevation, partly broken away, showing my improved doubler in connection with a suitable press and shears. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing the parts beneath the working-table in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position that the doubler assumes in doubling the plate or pack.

My device enables me to double packs of tinplate rapidly and accurately and with much greater facility than it is possible to do the same by hand and with much less waste of material.

To that end my invention consists in a doubler mounted upon a suitable carriage movable within Ways formed in a table or framework, the doubler being adapted to grasp one end of the sheet or pack, while the other end is held by a suitable clamping device upon the table, and in means by which the carriage carrying the doubler may be shifted with relation to the sheet or pack so as to accurately double the same When the doubler is rotated upon its axis, thus enabling the operator to provide for the variations in the lengths of sheets as they are delivered to him for doubling. I believe that I am the first to provide means for thus moving the doubler with respect to the sheet or pack, and I desire to be understood as claiming the same broadly.

My invention further consists in employing in connection with said doubler a suitable press or platen, whereby the folded sheet or pack is flattened. The sheets or packbeing tend which after beingfiftitgmin 6 two eiios ngo close profimi y to each other, t e od dd porti oh is pressed flat by the platen, which engages the same in such a Way as to permit the final fold to be exactly at the middle point, inas-- much as the pressure of the platen or press is exerted in a direction away from the firmlysecured edges, instead of, as heretofore, forming a crease and exerting the pressure from the crease outwardly toward the end. This prevents irregularity after the sheet or pack has been flattened. Heretofore doubling has been largely done by hand, and as a result there is much irregularity in the pack after' they are doubled, inasmuch as the plates come from the rolls with irregularity as to length and shape and make it difficult for the person doubling to accurately perform this operation. There are limitations also in hand manipulation, such as the number of sheets that can be successfully doubled, and the size of the sheet being limited. Numerous attempts have been made to construct a machine which would successfully perform the doubling operation, but for one cause or another have proven impractical and unsatisfactory.

My invention overcomes the difficulties incident to hand manipulation and at the same time afiords a machine for successfully carrying out the doubling operation, as my device will handle the sheets as they come from the rolls and adjust them to each other, so as to true up their opposite edges.

In operating the doubler its gripping-jaws seize one end of the sheet or pack, the opposite end being held firmly upon the table, and after the doubler has been rotated the required distance to double the sheet it may be moved'relatively to the other end of the sheet or pack, it necessary, in order to bring the ends into proper position for shearing.

With my doubler after the sheet or pack has been doubled it may be quickly removed from the table, as the doubler upon its movement back to its initial position releases the doubled sheet or pack at the beginning of its movement.

In the accompanying drawings, 2 represents a table or frame, beneath which is a carriage 3, the projecting end portions 4 of which are adapted to slide in suitable ways 5 in the side frame of the table. A shaft 6 passes through the carriage 3 and projects suiiiciently beyond the end portion 4 to afford a bearing for the doubler 7, which consists of a pair of grippingjaws 8 and 9, the long arms of the jaw 8 being loosely mounted upon the shaft (3 at its outer ends. As shown in the drawings, there is a pair of these arms upon each side of the table which are du plieates of each other and are connected by cross-bars 10 and 11. Upon the shaft 6 are rigidly secured arms 12, which engage slots 13 in the long arms of the jaws 9. A block 14, carried by a pin upon the arm 12, slides freely within the slot 13.

Beneath the table 2 is a motive cylinder 15, which I have shown as single-acting, the pis' ton being returned to its initial position upon the pressure being released by spring 16,which bears upon a stop 17, secured to the outer end of the piston-rod 18. The other end of the piston-rod 18 is secured to the carriage 3, so as to move the same and the doubler carried by it to the desired position with respect to the sheet or pack to be doubled. A suitable gage may be placed upon the table to enable the operator to quickly bring the doubler into the desired position. Secured to the carriage 3 by suitable framework 19 is an operatingcylinder 20, which is similar in construction to the cylinder 15. To the forward end of the piston-rod 21 is secured a lever 22, which is pivotally connected to the frame 19 by a link 23, one end of said link forming a fulcrum for the lever 22, which is connected at its other end to links 24, which are connected to a segment 25, mounted upon the axle 26 of the carriage 3. Upon the shaft (3 is a pinion 27, adapted to be engaged by the segment 25. The segment 25 is thus arranged to im part a rotary motion to the doubler through the gear 27, which is rigidly secured upon the shaft (3. The cylinder 20 and the carriage 3 are mounted upon suitable wheels which move upon tracks located at the proper levels therefor.

In the drawings I have shown my doubling apparatus as located in front of suitable shears 29 and press 30, although it is apparent that it may be used at a point removed from the shears.

Upon the table 2 is placed a clamping-plate 28, which is operated by a suitable hand or foot lever, so as to be raised and lowered to grip or release one end of the sheet or pack. This holds the same firmly upon the table 2 when the lever is depressed and during the doubling operation. The shears are of the usual construction and require no special description.

I have found it convenient to mount the arms carrying the press or platen upon the shear-frame and to operate the same by a pitman connection with the shaft, which operates the moving knife of the shears 29.

Beneath the table 2 and mounted in suitable brackets is a shaft 31, which is provided with arms 32, connected to a gage 83, which extends through a slot in the table 2 by a link 3t. top of the table 2 on the opposite side from the gage 33 and are adapted to receive pins 236, whichv serve as stops for one side of the Suitable holes 35 are placed in the sheet or pack, while the opposite side is engaged by the gage 3 which is adapted to be moved by the lever 37, which has a link connection with the arm 38, secured to the shaft 231. The lever 37 may be either operated by hand or foot power and is suitably counter balanced, as shown.

The operation of my device is as follows: A sheet or pack to be doubled is placed upon the table and its opposite edges are suitably squared with respect to the doubler, one end extending between the open jaws of the doubler and the opposite end beneath the clamping-bar 28. If the doubler be located adjacent to the shears, as shown in the drawings, the end beneath the clamping-bar 28 is permitted to project a sufficient distance for shearing after the pack or sheet is doubled. The opposite end,which lies between the jaws 8 and 9 of the doubler and the cross-bars connectingthe same, is gripped between the jaws when they are closed, as indicated by dotted lines, the arm 12 causing the jaw 9 and its cross-bar 11 to raise the sheet into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the long arms of the jaws when closed being substantially in line with each other. The arm 12 receives its movement from the shaft 6, which carries the gear 27, which is engaged by the segment 25, which in turn is operated by the link connection with the piston-rod 21 of the cylinder 20. After the jaws of the doubler have been closed the continued forward motion of the piston in the cylinder 20 causes the doubler to rotate upon its axis, which is the shaft 6, until the doubler is brought into contact with the table after being rotated about one hundred and eighty degrees, at which time the end of the sheet or pack which extends beyond the jaws of the doubler lies in close proximity to the opposite end, which is held beneath the clamping-bar 28. If the ends upon the initial adjustment do not properly coincide, the end which is grasped by the doubler may be moved with respect to the one held beneath the clam ping-bar. I prefer to give the platen or press a descent which shall exert pressure upon the folded sheet or pack in a direction away from the ends which are held by the jaws of the doubler and the clamping-bar, so that the final folds or crease will not be given to the pack or sheet until the exact point is reached which will cause the pack or sheet to be doubled equally and without any liability to disturb the ends which are to be sheared, so as to cause needless waste of material. After the doubled pack has been sheared the required amount upon the pressure in the cylinder 20 being released the spring around the outer extension of the piston-rod 21 will first cause the segment through its linked connection with the pistonrod to rotate the pinion 27 and the arm 12 upon the shaft 6, so as to open the jaw 9, which will then be in the uppermost position, at which time the doubled sheet or pack may be removed by pulling it toward the right of IlO the machine, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of suitable tongs or other devices. The continued rotation of the shaft 6 returns the doubler to its initial position ready to receive I another sheet or pack, when the operation. is

repeated. It is apparent that while I have described the jaws S and 9 of the doubler as connected with the corresponding pair on the opposite side of the table this is not essential so long as they act together, as the jaws 8 and 9 might be provided with suitable extensions which would onlypartially embrace the sheet or pack.

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, since I am able to double sheets and packs of tin or other plate accurately and to carry out the doubling operation to an extent not heretofore possible. The device is simple, durable, and elfective and is not liable to get out of order. The adjustment of the doubler to the proper point for grasping the sheet or pack may be quickly and accurately made.

Many changes maybe made in the construction and the arrangement of the parts without departing from my invention and will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic.

I claim 1. A doubling apparatus, having gripping jaws, at least one of which is movable toward and from the other, and mechanism arranged to swing or rotate the jaws as a whole, after the end portion of the sheet is gripped thereby; substantially as described.

2. A doubling apparatus comprising a lable, and a doubler having its axis of rotation adjustable with respect to the sheet or pack; substantially as described.

3. A doubling apparatus, comprisinga doubler havinggripping-jaws, anaxis upon which said doubler rotates, said axis being adj ustable with respect to the sheet or pack, and mechanism whereby said jaws are rotated; substantially as described.

4. A doubling apparatus,-comprising a doubler adjustable with respect to the pack or sheet, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, mechanism whereby the adjustment is effected, and independent means whereby the doubler is rotated upon its axis so as to double the sheet or pack; substantially as described.

5. A doubling apparatus, having movable gripping-jaws, mechanism arranged to swing the jaws as a whole through the are of a circle after they are gripped upon the sheet, and mechanism arranged to open the jaws and then swing them back as a whole to their normal position; substantially as described.

6. A doubling apparatus, comprising a doubler having gripping-jaws, an axis of rotation, one of said jaws being securedto said axis, so as to rotate therein, an arm secured to said axis, engaging the other gripping-jaw, so as to close or open the same, and means whereby rotation is imparted to said axis, thereby rotating the doubler; substantially as described.

7. Adoubling apparatus comprisingatable or frame, a doubler adapted to slide thereon, having gripping-jaws, a shaft upon which said jaws rotate, and by which they are adjusted in the desired position relative to the sheet, a motive cylinder whereby this adjustment is accomplished, mechanism whereby said shaft is rotated, and a second motive cylinder adapted 'to actuate said rotating mechanism; substantially as described.

8. Adoublingapparatus,comprisinga-table or frame, a clamp upon said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby rotation is imparted thereto and the sheet doubled; substantially as described.

9. Adoublingapparatus,comprisingatable or framework, a clamp upon said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, adjustable with respect to the sheet or pack, and means whereby the doubler is rotated and the sheet doubled; substantially as described.

10. A doubling apparatus, comprising a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, means whereby the other end is held, mechanism whereby the gripping-jaws are rotated, and the sheet doubled, and a platen or press whereby the sheetis flattened; substantially as described.

11. A doubling apparatus, comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapt-ed to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby rotation is imparted thereto and the sheet doubled, and a press or platen whereby the doubled sheet is flattened; substantially as described.

12. A doubling apparatus comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, adjustable with respect to the sheet or pack, and means whereby the doubler is rotated and the sheet doubled, and a press or platen whereby the doubled sheet is flattened; substantially as described.

13. In doubling apparatus, in combination with shears, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, means whereby the other end is held, mechanism whereby the doubler is rotated, and the sheet or pack doubled, and the opposite ends brought together for shearing, and a press or platen adapted to flatten the doubled sheets; substantially as described.

14. A doubling apparatus, comprising a table or frame, gages thereon, whereby the pack is straightened, a clamp adapted to hold one IIO end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to grip the other end of the sheet or pack, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby the doubler is rotated and the sheet doubled; substantially as described.

15. A doubling apparatus, comprising a table or frame, gage thereon, whereby the pack is straightened, a clamp adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to grip the other end of the sheet or pack, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby the doubler is rotated and the sheet doubled, and a press or platen whereby the doubled sheet or pack is flattened; substantially as described.

16. In doubling apparatus in combination with shears, a table or frame, gages thereon whereby the pack is straightened, a doubler having gripping-jaws adapted to hold one end of a sheet or pack, means whereby the other end is held, mechanism whereby the doubler is rotated and the sheet or pack doubled, and the opposite ends brought together for shearing, and a press or platen adapted to flatten the doubled sheets or pack; substantially as described.

17. A doubler, comprising a pair of jaws, having one member fixed and the other movable with respect to each other, a shaft upon which the jaws rotate, cross-bars connecting the jaws of both members, an arm on the shaft engaging the member movable with respect to the other, whereby the jaws are opened and closed, and gearing whereby the shaft and the jaws carried thereby are rotated, so

as to double the sheet; substantially as dedoubler having gripping-jaws, a shaft upon which the jaws rot-ate, means whereby the jaws are closed, and then rotated upon said shaft as an axis, when the shaft is rotated in one direction, and adapted to release the doubled sheet or pack when the shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, and after said release is accomplished to return the jaws of the doubler to their initial position, substantially as described.

19. A doubling apparatus, comprising a doubler having gripping-jaws, a shaft upon which the jaws rotate, means whereby the jaws are closed, and then rotated upon said shaft as an axis, when the shaft is rotated in one direction, a press or platen adapted to flatten the doubled sheet or pack, said doubler being adapted to release the doubled sheet or pack when the shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, and after said release is accomplished, to return the jaws of the doubler to their initial position; substantially as described.

20. A doubling apparatus, comprising a table or framework, a clamp upon said table adapted to hold one end of the sheet or pack, a carriage movable with respect to said pack, a doubler carried thereby having grippingjaws adapted to grip the other end of the same, an axis upon which said doubler rotates, and mechanism whereby rotation is imparted thereto and the sheet doubled; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH II. GILL.

\Vitnesses:

II. M. CoRwIN, G. B. BLEMMING. 

